Nobody Special

[Destiny062]

Love the way you write.

thank you. i really like your stories too. anyway here's the next chapter, hope ya like it....

previously....
i reached over, picked up my coffee and drank some more "now that's good coffee" i say smiling.

"see i told you" Lindsey said knowingly with a smile on her face.

and with that qw went back to talking about anything and everything, trying to forget, if only for a while, the oncoming storm that would be John and Rebecca Tyler, my adoptive parents, trying to force me to come home, not knowing that i already was........

Chapter 30.

[/b]

it's funny i thought those couple of days until i was able to leave hospital would drag by, but instead they passed by quite quickly.

true to his word Grissom somehow squared it with Ecklie so that they could all take shifts sitting by my side. i don't know how he did it, but i'm grateful he did. i'm not sure what would've happened if i was on my own when my adoptive parents showed up. it was weird i kept expecting them to show up, and drag me out of there shouting and screaming at them to let me go. but they never showed, not even once. in a way i suppose i was glad and relieved. them not showing up meant none of my new friends/family got hurt. however i was also kinda scared. i mean if they hadn't shown up because they were planning something that could only mean one thing: TROUBLE..... and lots of problems.

although they had all been great and stayed with me, i occasionally got the feeling that Greg wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea. i don't think he fully trusts me, and i guess i can't really blame him, i mean it's not as if any of them knew about me before i went missing. but if he doesn't trust me, i hope at least he trusts Sara, i mean they work together, and have done for a while, so i hope he trusts her judgement. who knows maybe in time he'll come to like and trust me, i'll just have to wait and see.

"hey Brooke, you ready to go?" Sara asks.

"you have no idea!" i say smiling.

finally i was able to get out of the hospital, and i couldn't be happier about that. i really hate hospitals, and i hoped i would never see one again, or if i had to, at least not for a very long time.

"ok, let's go. hey about tonight i treat you to a proper welcome home dinner? what do you want? you can have anything you like." Sara said.

"ok, how about takeout pizza? everyone can come over, we can watch movies, listen to music, talk, and eat lots of pizza." i told her

"are you sure you just want pizza? we could go out if you like." Sara said

"honestly Sara, i'll just be glad to be able to eat proper food again. i'm sure, pizza and the guys at your place sounds perfect." i replied

"okay. are you ok?"

"yeah i'm fine. i guess i'm just a bit worried." i told her.

"why?"

"well my adoptive parents never came back after you told them to leave. i guess i'm just worried about what they're up to. i mean i know they're not just gonna give up, and quietly go back to where we used to live, where they call home. i don't want you guys getting hurt or caught up in this mess because of me." i confessed.

"Brooke, listen to me. we're already involved. i have been since you first opened up to me about your family. and the rest of them,  you heard them at the hospital, they're not gonna let you go without a fight. at the end of the day, you're an adult, they can't force you to go back with them, and we can't force you to stay with us. we can only invite you and hope that you do. if you don't want to go back with them, you won't have to, ok." Sara said.

"i hope you're right. and you're wrong, i don't think Greg really trusts me."

"Greg is just being an over protective little brother. he's just looking out for me, even though there's no reason to. he'll calm down once he really gets to know you, and realises you're not going anywhere. it'll be fine Brooke, just trust me."

it was at that moment i realised i do trust her. i always did, and it was that i think that scared me before into disappearing again. i trusted Sara, she was one of the few people i had let in behind the walls i had put up to protect myself. "i do trust you" i said quietly.

i'm not sure if she even heard me, but then i saw a smile break out on her face, even though she was concentrating on the road, and i knew that she had. it felt kinda nice to acknowledge that i did trust Sara, and that maybe it was time to start letting the walls fall slowly and let more people in instead of pushing them away if they got too close.

before i knew it we were outside Sara's apartment waiting for her to open the door with her key. Sara showed me to her guest room, which would now be my room.

"Sara, are you sure this is the guest room?" i asked.

"yeah why?"

"nothing, it's beautiful, and it's quite a bit bigger than i'm used to. honestly Sara i'd be quite happy to crash on the couch for a couple of weeks."

"Brooke Tyler, you are not crashing on my couch for a couple of weeks. this room is yours for as long as you want it, i already told you that. now i'm gonna go and let you unpack and settle in. i'll just be in the living room. if you need anything just let me know ok."

Sara left the room, and i was left alone. i couldn't quite believe that i was staying here. Sara must have redecorated since i was last here, because i don't remember this room. or maybe it used to be smaller i don't know. i did know that there was way too much room for me. i quickly put my stuff away and went out to the living room to join Sara.

"everything ok for you Brooke?" she asked.

"yeah, everything's great Sara. have you redecorated or something, coz i'm sure that room never used to be there. you haven't moved have you? i mean it's the same building as i remember."

"Brooke you're rambling. and i guess you could say i moved. i sorted a load of my stuff out that i didn't need or want anymore, and once i did that i found out that room was a bit bigger than i thought it was, so i turned it into a proper spare room. it's amazing how much more room you have when you get rid of junk, and boxes and stuff." Sara explained.

"oh. well the room is great Sara thank you. so anyway all my stuff is unpacked what do ya wanna do now?" i said.

"you're unpacked already?"

"well yeah. i mean i don't really have much stuff. and i don't have any money so it's not as if i could buy myself some more clothes. besides i'm ok, i don't really need that much stuff anyway." i told her.

"well ok. what do you wanna do?" Sara asked

"erm i don't know. hey do you think it would be ok to stop by the lab on the way to get pizza. i just want to say hi to everyone, and i guess to thank them for everything that you and they have done for me over the past few days, possibly weeks. but if it's not i totally understand.."

"no that's fine. the guys would love to see you. come on let's go."

i had never actually been to the crime lab before. i mean i had been to LVPD obviously, but i had never actually been to the lab where Sara worked, and i was kinda looking forward to it. it would also give me the chance to invite them all over for pizza tonight, and also see what they were like when they were working.

it would be good.

just as we were driving past LVPD on the way to the lab............


...

okay you guys know the drill, read and review.... please
and i will write more chapters if you want me to.....

[Billyjorja]

Nice chapter.

That reminds me must have a clear out of my junk soon.

[Destiny062]

previously....
i had never actually been to the crime lab before. i mean i had been to LVPD obviously, but i had never actually been to the lab where Sara worked, and i was kinda looking forward to it. it would also give me the chance to invite them all over for pizza tonight, and also see what they were like when they were working.

it would be good.

just as we were driving past LVPD on the way to the lab...

Chapter 31.

[/b]

oh no. i thought to myself.

i looked over towards Sara, but she still had her eyes on the road, and must not have seen. we weren't pulling in, so i kept my mouth shut. maybe i had imagined it. i hoped i had anyway but something in the back of my mind told me, that what i had just seen was real. and at some point i'd have to deal with it. which also meant that at some point i'd have to tell Sara.

a few minutes later we arrived at the lab, and Sara parked in the car park.

"hey listen, why don't you go and sit in the break room for a while, and then i'll give you the tour of the lab later ok?" Sara told me.

"you haven't told them i'm coming in have you?" i told her.

"not exactly. i thought it would be better as a surprise."

"uh huh. Sara it's fine. i'll see you later. i'm sure i'll find something to do."

"ok. listen i won't be long. if the guys finish their cases before shift is over, they'll probably go in the break room to grab something to eat and chill out for a bit. i'll come find you later. are you sure you're going to be ok?"

"yeah. listen i know better now. i'm not gonna run off again ok. besides i know you'll only come after me anyway." i say with a smile on my face.

Sara looks at me.

"Sara, relax it was a joke. i'm not gonna go anywhere i promise, ok."

"ok. but it's a bit too soon for you to be joking about that."

"ok, no jokes yet. i got it."

Sara pointed me towards the break room, while she went in search of, well whoever she was looking for, presumingly Grissom.

i had only been in the break room for maybe twenty minutes, when this guy in a blue jacket came in. i'd never seen him before, and i couldn't remember Sara or any of the others mentioning him.

"you're not meant to be in here." he said.

"it's ok. Sara said i could be in here. and anyway how do you know that? i could be new. you shouldn't just assume things you know." i said to him.

"uh huh. you haven't got ID, you're here on your own, and i know everyone around here. so who are you?" he asked.

"my name is Brooke Tyler, i'm a friend of Sara's. and i'm kinda staying with her at the moment. she said it was ok for me to wait in here. she's just got some last minute work to do or something. you can go ask her if you don't believe me. anyway, who are you?"

"oh i will. and i'll let Gil Grissom know that Sara Sidle is bringing in strange people to the lab, and leaving them unsupervised."

"go ahead. Grissom won't have a problem with it. he knows me, as do the rest of the grave shift team actually. i met them all through Sara."

"yeah right." he takes out his cell phone. after a while he speaks into it. "hey Gil. listen there's a girl in the break room all by herself. she says she's a friend of Sara's. just thought you'd want to know."

i couldn't hear what Grissom was saying down the phone. "sure thing boss." he said and hung up.

"tattle tale. so what's your name, and why are you hassling me? i'm sure you've got work to do, and you'd much rather be doing that. something tells me your a kissass." i say smiling.

"Hodges. who are you hassling now?" when they saw who it was "oh hey Brooke. you ok? what are you doing here? i didn't know you were coming in today. does Sara know you're here?"

"oh so that's your name. you know you could have just told me. and hey Catherine. i'm fine and yes Sara knows i'm here. she had something to check up on or something so she told me i could wait in here. she said it would be ok. this kissass here said it wasn't and tattled to Grissom. how's Lindsey doing?"

"she's fine. Hodges don't you have work to do or something? she's ok, but if you're scared i can stay here with her. i've wrapped up my case anyway."

"thank you Catherine. and i'm not scared, i'd just rather not babysit. you can't be too careful you know."

"whatever Hodges. she's not a killer you know, and she's not a baby."

"how do you know? i mean we never suspected the miniature killer worked here. this could be that all over again. Ecklie's gonna go nuts when he finds out Sara left someone unsupervised in the break room."

"shut up Hodges and go back to work."

knowing that he wasn't gonna win this one, the guy in the blue jacket, who i now knew was called Hodges left.

"have i got Sara in trouble?" i asked

"no. it's ok. that's just Hodges, he's our resident kissass lab rat. don't worry Brooke you haven't done anything wrong. so why are you here anyway? not that i mind."

"erm, i came to ask if you and Lindsey, and the rest of the guys fancied coming over for pizza tonight, and maybe watch a couple of movies, or we can chat or whatever. but only if you're free, it's kinda las minute and you probably have plans, and you don't have to come if....."

"Brooke" Catherine said interrupting me "you're rambling. and Lindsey and i would love to come. what time?"

"really? great, erm how about after shift? that ok for you?" i asked

"yeah that'll be good. i'll call Lindsey now, and ask her to come to the lab. you guys can catch up in here, whilst i go tell the rest of the team. unless you want to ask them yourself?"

"no it's ok. it'll be good to catch up with Lindsey actually. she's a great kid." i say honestly.

"yeah she is. have you had the grand tour yet?"

"no not yet. Sara said she'd take me round when she came back."

"ok how about this, it's going to take Lindsey a while to get here, and we don't know how long Sara is going to be, so how about i take you on the grand tour, and then bring you back here when Lindsey gets here? that sound okay?"

"that sounds great." i say smiling. "you don't mind?"

"i wouldn't have asked otherwise would i? besides it'll be fun. come on."

we both got up and she led me out of the break room towards the reception desk. and from there we went to all the different labs: to Trace; to the DNA lab; to the Fingerprint lab; to the AV Lab, which was really cool; we also went to Ballistics, and i got to look at the different guns which was really interesting (i wasn't allowed to touch any of them though). she then led me to her office which was filled with books, and pictures, (there was an older photo of Lindsey on her desk); we passed by the locker room; and then went to Grissom's office. he wasn't there, but Catherine said i could have a quick look round. it was amazing- there was stuff everywhere. there was bugs on the wall, and i singing seabass above the door, a couch, bookcases filled with textbooks and journals and articles. there was even a foetal pig on the top of a book shelf. i stood in awe taking it all in.

"wow" i said looking around.

"yeah, Grissom's unique. he's one of the top entomologists in the country. anything you want to know about bugs, he's your guy." Catherine explained.

"it's amazing. this whole place is amazing. i mean all the labs, and procedures and ways you can get the bad guys, and your offices. i'm surprised you ever want to leave this place."

"yeah, i guess it's pretty cool. we don't see it that way though. i mean "we meet people on the worst days of the lives" to quote Grissom, and we get to speak for the victim in that we find out what happened, and hopefully bring closure to their families, or the loved ones left behind." Catherine said. "come on, Lindsey will be here in a minute, we should get back to the break room."

"ok." i say taking one last look round Grissom's office, before closing the door again behind me.

however on our way back to the break room.......


...

you know the drill   

please read and review, and i will keep writing.

[Billyjorja]

Oh that was good.  You got Hodges down just right.

[Destiny062]

previously....
Catherine said "come on, Lindsey will be here in a minute, we should get back to the break room."

"ok" i say taking one last look round Grissom's office, before closing the door again behind me.

however on our way back to the break room.....

Chapter 32.

[/b]

"hey Lindsey."

"hey mom, hey Brooke. i thought i was meeting you guys in the break room, what are you doing out here?"

"your mom was giving me the grand tour of the lab. we just finished and were on our way back to the break room now. Sara was gonna give me the tour, but she had some work to do and your mom just wrapped a case so wasn't doing anything, and she offered and here we are." i explained.

"erm Brooke, you're rambling. and it's cool, i mean i remember the first time i took a tour of the lab. i was a lot younger, but i kinda understood why mom used to stay here so long. it's a kind of cool place." Lindsey said.

"that's funny, i don't remember you acting that way whenever i was late picking you up from school or dance class." Catherine said smiling.

"well duh. mom if i said that you never would have come home." Lindsey said with a smile on her face trying not to laugh.

"yes i would. do you know how much i missed you when i was working?" Catherine said.

"ok guys, this trip down memory lane is great for you guys, but do you mind if we went back to the break room, i promised Sara i wouldn't go off on my own for too long. besides if she's finished her work and gone back there, if i'm not there she'll start to worry i've done a disappearing act on her again." i said

"sorry Brooke. i didn't think. hearing this family stuff musty be hard for you huh." Lindsey said cautiously

"no not really. i got used to the fact that i would never have a happy childhood a long time ago. besides i'm an adult now, and i'm learning to put the past behind me and live in the present and for the future, not dwindle on my past and what i didn't have." i told them honestly.

and with that the three of us started walking back to the break room. we were a couple of feet away when a voice said "so who have we here?"

"crap" Catherine muttered.

she turned around, and Lindsey and i followed suit.

"hey Conrad" Catherine said "what's up?"

"hello Catherine. okay so i know the one on your right is your daughter-why is she here anyway?"

"i have a name you know, it's Lindsey." Lindsey muttered.

"i called her. i'm off the clock, and asked her to meet me here. we'll be leaving in a couple of minutes i just need to grab my stuff from the locker room." Catherine explained quickly.

"which is why you were just about to enter the break room clearly. and who is that?" he said pointing at me.

"first off it's rude to point. and secondly my name is Brooke Tyler, i'm a friend of Sara's. i was told it would be ok to wait in the break room. only i didn't know where it was, so i got Catherine and Lindsey to show me. after all you wouldn't want me just wandering round unsupervised would you?" i said.

"oh, so you're the one that had my graveyard shift team looking for you, and getting strings pulled are you? funny that because Hodges told me you were in here earlier, and said that Sara had dropped you off here personally while she went to finish some paperwork was it? so which story is the truth? the one you just told me, or the one Mr Hodges told me thirty minutes ago?" Conrad said

i remained silent. we all did.

"ok, so maybe i did meet Hodges earlier in the break room. but i'm outta here as soon as Sara comes back, so don't worry. i'm sorry i didn't quite catch your name Conrad what was it?" i asked

"my name is Conrad Ecklie, and i run this lab. why aren't you wearing a visitors badge?" he asked.

"i wasn't aware i needed one, sorry. listen i'm not gonna touch anything or break anything. i'm just gonna sit quietly in the break room for Sara ok. good, glad we got that straightened out. i'm gonna leave you now and sit down. i can't say it was exactly nice meeting you, but at least i have a name to put with a face now, so bye." and with that i turned round and walked into the break room.

a few seconds later i heard Lindsey walk in with a very big smile on her face, and i could tell she was trying not to laugh. "oh my God. i can't believe you just did that. i've wanted to do that for years! actually i think ther whole team have wanted to do that, but they couldn't otherwise they'd get fired, but that was amazing. how do you feel?" then she saw the look on my face "Brooke are you okay?"

"yeah i'm fine Lindsey. it's just.... i've wanted to be able to that to my parents, sorry to John and Rebecca for years, but i never did. but i come here, and within minutes i've said it to someone i've only just met. i mean is that weird or what?" i say.

"well yeah kinda. but you lived with John and Rebecca the whole time you were growing up. maybe you just didn't want to hurt them. it takes a lot more to stand up to someone you care about than someone you've just met. don't worry about it Brooke ok. when the time comes you'll be able to tell them what you've always wanted to, you just have to give it some time. you'll get there i promise." Lidsey told me.

i just smiled "thanks Linds."

"anytime. after all that's what family does right. sticks by each other and helps them out." Lindsey replied.

unbeknown to both of us, Catherine had heard our entire conversation.

"you know, they're right. you are quite a lot like me." Catherine said.

we both jumped a little.

"mom! how long have you been standing there?" Lindsey asked.

"a while. we're all here for you Brooke, no matter what happens with your parents ok."

"you mean adoptive parents." i corrected her.

"they may not be your biological parents, but they're still your parents. i know they didn't always act like it but they are still your parents, they always will be, you can't change them." Catherine said.

"i know that. i guess i just wish they would every once in a while. i can't change who they are, or how they behaved or treated me in the past. but maybe if i could just get them to understand how i was feeling, it might change our relationship in the future. or maybe they'll learn to let me go. live my own life you know?" i say

"yeah i do. i think you just have to give them some time." Catherine said

just then my cell phone started to ring.

"hey Sara. listen Catherine and Lindsey are with me in the break room. they're both okay to come over tonight, if that's still ok." i said.

"yeah Brooke it's fine. i sent texts to the rest of the guys, and they're all really looking forward to it. listen Brooke are you okay?"

"yeah Sara i'm fine why? what's up?"

"nothing, i was just checking. you sure you're ok?"

"Sara i'm fine. you're starting to freak me out a little bit what's wrong?

"it's nothing. i'll tell you later. really it's probably just me overreacting."

"okay, now i'm worried. Sara what's going on?" i ask

"Brooke really it's nothing. listen i'm on my way back to the break room now okay. and when i get there we'll go to the video store, rent a bunch of dvds, go home and get a load of pizzas delivered ok. how does that sound?"

"that sounds great Sara. are you sure you're ok?"

"yeah i'm fine. i'll see you in a bit. bye"

"bye" i said and hung up my cell.

"Sara's gonna be here in a bit, and then we're gonna go to the video store. do you wanna come?"

"sure ok." Lindsey said.

a couple of minutes later Sara walked into the break room, and we left the lab in the direction of the video store in preparation for my official welcome home gathering/party thing.


...

you know the drill....read and review

[Billyjorja]

First Hodges, now Ecklie.  Poor Brooke and Lindsey with those two about.

[Destiny062]

previously....
"Sara's gonna be here in a bit, and then we're gonna go to the video store. do you wanna come?"

"sure ok" Lindsey said

a couple of minutes later Sara walked in to the break room, and we left the lab in the direction of the video store in preparation for my official welcome home gathering/party thing.

Chapter 33.

[/b]

it was kinda funny how i thought of Sara's place as home now, even though it was totally her place, and i had only just moved my stuff in a few hours ago. but the thing is it felt like home, well i thought of it as a kind of home. i felt more comfortable and safe there than i ever did at John and Rebecca's house. i also found it strange how i had quickly become used to calling them John and Rebecca now that i knew the truth instead of mom and dad, like i had called them my whole life.

hearing the truth from a dead person, well ok it was my Grams, but still, it had felt really weird, like i had been dreaming or something. which i must have been. after all the dead can't really talk, can they? but after she told me, and i had had my suprise outburst, i have to admit, a lot of things that had happened whilst i was growing up suddenly made a lot more sense. everyone knew i was adopted now, apart from the people who adopted me. i mean of course they knew, but they didn't know that i knew, if that makes any sense.

i glanced over at Sara occasionally, but she didn't look at me not once. she hadn't even talked to me since she rang me earlier. it was weird and something was definitely going on with her, i just couldn't figure out what. i hoped she wasn't changing her mind or regretting me to move into her place, even if it would be only for a while.

but if that was the case she would have talked to me about it-right?

we had picked up quite a few DVDs at the video store. i knew we wouldn't get through them all tonight, but at least there was a choice, so we could each pick a DVD to watch. that way hopefully everyone would be happy.

at least i hope so.

Lindsey and i were in my room, well the room where i would be sleeping at Sara's anyway. Catherine was in the lounge/ kitchen with Sara. i don't know what they were talking about, but maybe Catherine could figure out what was bothering Sara.

if anyone could get Sara to open up it would be Catherine, right? at least i hope so.

"so this is your room then?" Lindsey said

"kinda. i'll just be crashing here until i get sorted out." i told her.

"but i thought Sara said you could stay here?"

"she did, but i don't want to be any trouble. besides i think it'll be easier when i get my own place you know. i won't be under her feet all the time. and she can stop worrying about me, coz she'll know i'm fine."

"Brooke, are you serious? Sara'll probably worry about you more if you've got your own place. and after what you told me happened at the hospital with your adoptive parents, they're less likely to come here if they figure out where you are. Sara can be pretty damn stubborn at times. no way she's letting them in here." Lindsey smiled.

"i know. but how are they gonna find me if i move out? they won't. and then they can't blame Sara for holding me against my will or anything because i won't be living with her. see that way everyone wins, and John and Rebecca will get the message." i explained.

"but Sara's not holding you here. is she?"

"no of course not. i wanted to come here, and i wanna live here, if only for a while. but they won't and don't see it that way."

"oh, so you're trying to spare Sara? yeah won't work." Lindsey said matter-of-factly.

"why not?" i asked

"Sara's used to being around people who are stubborn. she works with a whole team of people who are stubborn in their own way. i mean, she stood up to your adoptive parents before, so she'll keep doing it until they go away, and leave you alone. just trust her ok Brooke. everything's gonna be fine." she said giving me a hug.

pulling out of the hug i said "you do know you're becoming more like your mother don't you?"

Lindsey smiled "yeah, so i've been told. i'm gonna take it as a compliment though."

i smiled back "you should. it is one."

we carried on talking and laughing, and exchanging stories when we heard the doorbell ring.

"that's probably the guys, come on." i said

"yeah. ok let's get this night started. pizza, movies, the whole family here...what could be better..." Lindsey replied.

we walked out of my room, down the hallway and through to the lounge.

"Brooke, could you get the door for me?" Sara asked.

"yeah sure." opening the door "hey guys. come on in. glad you could make it."

"hey, we're just glad you're ok." Nick said

"bet you're happy to be out of the hospital" Greg said

"you have no idea. i thought you were meant to get better in those places, not feel as if you were on hunger strike." i said laughing

"well, you're out of there now, and that's good." Grissom said.

"yeah it is. hey Jim"

"hey kiddo, you doing ok?"

"hey! what did i tell you. it's Brooke not kiddo" i said

"i know, i'm kidding." Jim said smiling. "glad to see you're back to your old self again" he said giving me a hug.

"actually this is a whole new me. you wouldn't want me to be my old self, not as much fun." i say smiling.

after they had all entered the house, i closed the door behind them. "Sara the guys are here" i shouted

"i know, i could hear them from in here." Sara said smiling.

"are you saying that we're too loud?" Greg said

"of course not... ok maybe a little" Sara confessed. "erm Greg, why did you bring beer?"

"it's a party right? did i get told the wrong information again?"

"no it is. it's just this is Brooke's party, and i don't think it's very nice if we drink when she can't."

"Sara honestly it's fine. you guys have you beer, it's cool. me and Lindsey have non-alcohloic stuff we can drink anyway. it's not as if you're gonna get drunk anyway. are you?"

"no of course not. we'll have a couple of beers and that's it."

"so it'll be fine. let's just get the pizzas ordered ok. who wants what?"

"you haven't ordered them yet?"

"no. i thought we'd wait til you guys got here, and then order so that everyone gets what they want. i'm sorry"

"hey Brooke it's fine. besides beerman over here changes his orders every time. we never know what he wants. don't worry he's just a bit crabby coz he had a run-in with Ecklie earlier." Nick said.

"you too? really? what did he say to you?" out of the corner of my eye i saw Catherine and Lindsey shaking their heads.

"what do you mean you too?" Sara asked.

"nothing? it's just i mean you told me how Ecklie likes having a go at you now and again, i guess i was just being nosy you know. i know what he says to you, i guess i just wanted to know if he says the same thing to everyone, or gives people different speeches." i said hoping she would believe me.

"Brooke....." Sara said.

i know that tone. she doesn't believe me.

Lindsey and Catherine were still shaking their heads. Sara saw me looking in their direction, and looked at them too. they immediately stopped shaking their heads.

"guys what's going on? did something happen at the lab?"

"Sara it's fine honestly. nothing happened when i was at the lab today."

"Brooke was at the lab? why didn't you come say hi?"

"yes she was at the lab. i thought i was only gonna be a couple of minutes so i told her to stay in the break room." Sara said

"and you guys were busy with cases, i didn't wanna disturb you." i continued "look, why don't we order the pizzas, watch some movies and chat like we planned, and you guys can drink beer if you want ok."

"ok" they all said in unison

"Brooke we'll talk later ok. i know something happened and i'm gonna find out what, but i'd rather you tell me yourself." Sara warned.

"so what pizzas do you all want? and what movie do ya wanna watch first?" i said ignoring what Sara had just said. i knew she'd find out at some point, and knowing Sara it would be sooner rather than later (after all she is a CSI) but i ddin't wanna talk about it right now. right now all i wanted to do was enjoy my first night out of hospital and have a good time.

a few hours later, we were still eating pizza and popcorn. we had watched two movies and were just to put in a third when the doorbell rang.

"i'll get it." i said. "don't stop the movie, i'll be back in a minute."

i got up, walked out the lounge and opened the door..........

...

ok guys let me know what you think. hope you still like it

you know the drill read and review     

[Billyjorja]

Great update.  More please.

[Destiny062]

previously....
a few hours later, we were still eating pizza and popcorn. we had already watched two movies and were just about to put in a third movie when the doorbell rang.

"i'll get it" i said "don't stop the movie, i'll be back in a minute."

i got up, walked out the lounge and opened the door................

Chapter 34.

[/b]

it was weird how quickly i had felt at home at Sara's place. both Sara and me were fine with me answering the door, even though it was her place and i was just crashing there.

i opened the door, but i didn't recognise the person standing on the other side.

"hey" i said

"hi, is this Sara Sidle's place?"

"who's asking?" i asked suspiciously

"sorry. i have something to give to her and was told this is where she lives. my name is James Fletcher. so does she live here?"

"oh ok. erm yeah she does, but Sara's not available at the moment. but if you want i can give her whatever it is." i said

"well i was meant to give it to her personally. but if she's not available i suppose i can give it to you. do you promise to give it to her though?" James said

i put my hand out waiting for him to give me the envelope. "i promise to give it to her. she's just busy at the minute." i said

it wasn't exactly a lie that i had told him. Sara was busy-watching movies- but still.

"listen here's my card as well. tell her to call me" James said

"sure. can i ask what this is about?"

"sorry it's priviledged. thanks though, bye."

"bye" i said closing the door as he walked away.

the curiosity of what was in the envelope was eating away at me, but i knew i couldn't look in it. whatever it was was private, and obviously for Sara's eyes only. if she wanted to tell me what was it it was her choice, but it wasn't up to me to go through whatever was clearly only for her. i took another look at the card he had given me. a proper look this time, not just a fleeting one, and saw that he was an attorney. i silently began thinking about what he wanted with Sara. as far as i knew Sara wasn't in any trouble and hadn't done anything wrong.

apart from throwing John and Rebecca out of my hospital room, and shouting at them for their treatment of me i silently thought. but i pushed that thought to the back of my mind, at least for now, and walked back to the lounge where everyone was silently watching the movie.

"who was that?" Sara asked me when she saw me re-enter the room. "you were gone a while"

"erm a guy named James Fletcher. he was asking for you. i told him you were busy, so he gave me this to give to you. he also gave me his card, and told me to tell you to call him" i told her, handing over both the envelope and his card.

"oh thanks Brooke." Sara said quietly.

she didn't look at me as i handed them over. she was focused solely on the envelope and the card with his number on it. i knew instantly by the look on her face that something was wrong, but i knew she wasn't about to tell me, especially not in front of everyone. she was hiding something, but i couldn't figure out what that was. but i decided to leave it for tonight, so we could enjoy the evening and my welcome home thing. i knew that whether it was important or not she would tell me at some point, at least i hoped she would. we promised each other no more secrets, and i hoped that she trusted me with hers as much as i trusted her with mine. after all she already knew most if not all of mine, yet i still didn't know much about her. but i had to give her time, she would tell me when she was ready, just like i did with her.

after a couple more movies the rest of the guys had fallen asleep, and the empty pizza boxes were scattered everywhere. i looked at Sara and saw that she was also sound asleep, with her head resting on Grissom's shoulder. i immediately got up and started to tidy the empty pizza boxes into the kitchen, and put them in the bin. i then picked up the bowls that had held the popcorn, and carried them into the kitchen also, and put them into the dishwasher. i knew where Sara kept the spare blankets and went along the hallway to get them. once i was back in the lounge, i carefully unfolded them and placed them over the sleeping CSIs. i smiled-i was home, this was my family. i put the movies in a pile by the TV, and then went to my room, after locking the front door. you could never be too careful. after giving the sleeping CSIs one last smile and checking to see if they were ok, i went to my room, where i read for a little while, before falling asleep myself.

the next morning i woke up pretty early, and when i went into the lounge they were all still asleep, and in the same positions as i had left them in last night. i knew that they might have hangovers this morning after all the beer they had drunk last night, and so i quietly crept into the kitchen and started making breakfast. i quickly and quietly found everything i needed to make breakfast. after all they had done for me, i thought the least thing they deserved was pancakes, something i actually knew how to make. i didn't know what kind of pancakes they liked so i made a few different sorts, hoping that i wouldn't wake them up.

about half an hour later, i heard someone walk into the kitchen.

"what's all this?" Brass asked

"i thought i'd make breakfast as a thank you. you know for last night, and i guess for everything that you guys have done for me. i mean i know this doesn't cover it, but it's something."

"you made pancakes?"

"yeah. it's the only breakfast thing i know how to make, and i didn't know which kind you guys like so i made a selection. i think i might have got carried away though. wait, you guys like pancakes right? i can't believe i didn't think to ask, i mean i should've chekced......"

"Brooke. you're rambling again. and yes we all love pancakes. so what ones have we got?" Brass asked smiling at me

"erm, well we've got plain, chocolate chip, blueberry, honey, cinnamon, there's ones with raisins in over there, and there's sugar, lemon and choc sauce just there for the plain ones, so take what you want. do you think there's enough, or should i make more?"

"Brooke relax, i think you've made more than enough. come on why don't we take these through, and they can have them when they wake up. you never know, the smell of them might wake them up sooner. they look and smell delicious."

"thanks Brass." i said with a big smile on my face.

"you're welcome, but call me Jim ok."

"ok. thanks Jim." i said.

after a couple of minutes Jim and i had managed to carry through all the pancakes i had made as well as other plates for us to put our pancakes on and the sugar, lemon and chocolate sauce for the guys to put on their pancakes if they wished.

a few minutes later i saw Lindsey stir from her sleep. trying to open her eyes she smelt the air. slowly opening her eyes, she said "that's funny i can smell PANCAKES!!" she shouted upon seeing the plates of pancakes infront of her.

"what's wrong? Lindsey are you ok?" Catherine asked with a striken look on her face after hearing Lindsey shouting.

"mom i'm fine, look pancakes." she said smiling

"where did they come from? hang on this is Sara's place?" Catherine said with a look of confusion on her face.

"yeah, you guys fell asleep during one of the movies last night, or early this morning, one of them. so i cleared up and made sure you guys were comfortable. and then i made pancakes this morning. sort of a thank you for last night and everything else you've all done for me recently. you eat pancakes right?" i explained.

"that's a rhetorical question right? but you didn't need to do this" Catherine said

"i know i didn't have to, but i wanted too, honestly" i told her

"mom, stop complaining and just the pancakes ok. they're really good by the way. when did you learn how to make these?" Lindsey asked

"my Grams taught me. i used to spend quite a bit of time at her house when i was younger, and one of the things we did was cooking. so she taught me how to cook pancakes. i used to eat them a lot when i was a kid, so i guess she thought if i ate them, i might as well know how to make them as well." i explained with a sad smile on my face.

"oh. well that's cool. she did a good job by the way, these are awesome." Lindsey smiled

a few minutes later the rest of the guys slowly began to wake up, and became aware that we were all sitting around eating pancakes.

"hey are they just for you, or can anyone have some?" Nick asked

"no you can have some, help yourself. but you better make it quick or Lindsey will eat yours for you." i said jokingly

"hey!" Lindsey said "but true" she laughed

"oh my God, these are amazing. seriously these are like the best pancakes i've ever had, who made them?" he said looking at Catherine.

"don't look at me. i only woke up a few minutes ago myself. Brooke made them! so tell that to her not me." Catherine said

"really? ok Brooke these are amazing" Nick said in between mouthfuls.

"are they chocolate chip?" asked Greg reaching for a plate.

"yeah, here you go. knock yourself out." i said handing the plate of chocolate chip pancakes over to him.

"thanks" Greg said with a smile. "you know i could get used to having you around. sorry about how i acted before in the hospital. i guess i was just in shock, and being protective"

"it's ok Greg honest. you were just looking out for Sara, it's fine." i told him.

"hey are there any blueberry pancakes left?" Grissom asked "i haven't tried one yet and they're my favourite"

"sorry Grissom, i think Lindsey just had the last one. i can make some more though. it won't take me too long. honestly i don't mind. anybody else want any more pancakes made?" i asked

"you don't have to make any more. i was just asking." Grissom said

"no honest it's fine. listen since i'm going in the kitchen anyway do any of you want any coffee?" i asked

"Brooke would you just sit down. the guys can manage with the pancakes that are left. you shouldn't have done all this in the first place, but thank you anyway. you stay here and chat and i'll go make the coffee. everyone wants one right?" Sara asked

"yeah please" they all said in unison.

"right, well give me a few minutes and i'll bring them through." Sara said getting up

"she's gonna need some help. i'll be right back." i said walking after Sara.

"hey Sara?" i said putting my hand on her shoulder "are you ok? you've been acting kinda weird. and you haven't looked at me since that James Fletcher guy came round yesterday. what's going on?"

"it's nothing Brooke. honest. just go and enjoy your pancakes with the others ok. i'll bring the coffees out in a bit." Sara said, still averting her eyes

"Sara, look at me? what did that guy want? what was in the envelope? why did he want you to call him?" i asked

Sara looked at me. "Brooke would you just leave it ok! look thank you for your concern but everything is gonna be ok. it's all just a misunderstanding, but everything is fine!" Sara said forcibly

i looked at her in shock. normally it was me shouting at her to leave me alone, not the other way round. i knew something was wrong, and i had a feeling i knew what it was, and it was all my fault.

seeing the look on my face she immediately said "oh Brooke i'm sorry. i shouldn't have snapped at you like that. i'm sorry. look we need to talk, but not now ok. we'll talk later when everyone has gone home. i promise" she said looking me in the eye, and never faltering her gaze.

"ok." i said simply "you need any help?" i asked

"no, it's ok. go back to the others. i'll be out in a minute."

"this thing you need to talk to me about? it's about John and Rebecca, my adoptive parents isn't it?" i said calmly and coldly

"i'll talk to you later ok. can we just drop it for now? please?" Sara begged

"ok. we'll talk about it later." i said calmly. but i knew exactly what and whom we would be talking about later, and something told me i wasn't going to like it.........


after a couple more hours and once all the dirty dishes and mugs had been taken back into the kitchen, we all talked for a little while longer. the subject seemed to change constantly from Lindsey's school to her college choices, to the lab, to what a pain Ecklie was, catching up on each others lives, or in my case finding out more about them, and them finding out more about me. it was weird talking about my life and actually being listened to and not interrupted, but it felt nice too. i was completely comfortable talking to these people, and i hadn't even known them that long. i was never this open with anyone else in my life, not even my Grams, and she was the only member of my family i could actually really talk to. i could feel the walls i had put up to protect myself come crumbling down to the ground around me, and surprisingly i didn't feel afraid of that. i actually felt free for once in my life. i guess that meant i was finally moving on and dealing with everything that i had gone through, and Sara was a big part of that. if it hadn't been for her i would still be the same girl i had left home as. i would still be living at home, i would still be alone and invisible and anonymous and being taken for granted. and i never would have met Lindsey or Catherine, or Jim, or Grissom or Nick or Greg. i wouldn't have any friends, i would still be alone in the world. and i was so grateful that i had Sara. i had changed who i used to be, i was happier now and i had friends and i knew i wasn't invisible or anonymous, or anything like i used to be. i had people that cared about me now....... i had my family!

but something told me whatever James Fletcher had asked me to give to Sara was about to ruin that, or at least rock the boat a little. i had heard nothing from John and Rebecca for a while, and if i'm honest with myself i was scared. the longer the silence went on the more scared and afraid i got. but i was careful not to let it show. i didn't want anything to pop this little bubble that i seemed to be living in. i was safe here, and i knew that as soon as that bubble burst, i was in for a real fall that would leave me battered and bruised, but hopefully not broken.

after a while the guys all left after saying goodbye to Sara and me, and that we should do this again some time. they even begged me for the recipe for my pancakes, but i smiled and simply said "sorry no can do, it's a secret. i promised my Grams that no matter what happened to her or to me, i would never give it away. apart from you guys, she was the only one who made me feel safe and secure. tell you what i'll make you a deal. whenever you guys end up staying over after a night in, i'll make you pancakes ok?" they smiled at that idea, and Sara said "you're going to be making lots of pancakes then. i swear they're gonna be over here all the time now."

after they left Sara closed the front door, turned and after taking a deep breath said "Brooke we need to talk about something...."


...

ok hope you guys liked it. please read and review i love reading your comments, it's what makes me write more....

[Destiny062]

previously....
"...........tell you what i'll make you a deal. whenever you guys end up staying over after a night in, i'll make you pancakes ok?" they smiled at that idea, and Sara said "you're going to be making a lot of pancakes then. i swear they're gonna be over here all the time now."

after they left Sara closed the door, turned, and after taking a deep breath said "Brooke we need to talk about something......

Chapter 35.

[/b]

even though i thought i knew what it was that she wanted to talk to me about, i guess a part of me was hoping i was wrong, and that until she said the actual words, i could fool myself into thinking that she wanted to talk to me about something else.

"Sara what is it?" i asked

"ok Brooke. that guy that you answered the door to earlier this evening, he's an attorney............ he's your parents attorney."

"John and Rebecca are not my parents. they are just people i happened to live with for the past eighteen years." i said angrily. "what do they want? or rather what did their attorney want with you?"

"regardless, in the eyes of the law they are still your parents, and they are refusing to sign the emancipation forms i sent them. you know those papers you signed during your hospital stay. well since they refused to sign them, it means if you want to become emancipated then you'll have to do it through the courts, and prove to a judge that you can look after yourself. you're over eighteen, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem, but you never know. Brooke, John and Rebecca aren't willing to let you go, so you're.... sorry we're.... going to have to fight them, if that's what you still want. John and Rebecca want to see you before we go to court. listen i can be in the room with you if you want, and their attorney is going to be there, and i can arrange for your lawyer to be there as well. but it's totally up to you. you don't have to decide anything right now." Sara explained.

"i want to meet them. i want them to be able to look me in the eye and answer for everything they've put me through. i want to know why they have been lying to me all these years. i want them to know how i've been feeling all these years, and how Grams' death affected me. i want to see the look on their faces when they realise i know the truth. i want them to tell me who my real parents are, and what my rea name is. i just want some answers Sara. i need them, otherwise i'm never going to be fully able to move on and leave my past exactly there, in the past."

"ok Brooke. it's ok, everything's going to be ok" she said enveloping me in a tight hug, and placed a soft kiss on the top of my head, trying to get me to calm down.

after a few minutes i had managed to calm down a little with Sara's help, and my heartrate and breathing returned to normal. "this is going to sound really pathetic, but will you come with me to meet them, and stay in the room with me? i don't think i can face them alone. i know how they work, if i go in there alone, i'll crumble and cave into doing what they want me to do. please Sara?" i asked.

"of course i will. i told you before Brooke, i'm here for you every step of the way." she said enveloping me in a hug again. "everything's going to be ok. i'm just going to call James Fletcher ok, and organise a time and place for a meeting where you can talk, okay. just give me a couple of minutes."

"thanks Sara." i said simply.

Sara walked away in the direction of her bedroom to make the call. i was suddenly very nervous. i hadn't seen John and Rebecca since that day in the hospital when i had first woken up, and i hadn't really spoken to them in years. i didn't know what i was going to say to them, actually i did, i just didn't know if it would come out right, and although i had a fair idea, i had no real idea of how i was going to react when i saw them again, or how they would react to seeing me. at least i would have Sara with me, supporting me the whole time, and that in itself was comforting; knowing that i had someone there who was on my side and would support me no matter what.

"ok Brooke, the meeting is scheduled for the 27th. i know that it's only a couple of days from now, but unsurprisingly John and Rebecca wanted to meet with you as soon as possible. they actually wanted a meeting tomorrow, but i said you were going to be busy for the next couple of days, and i thought that that would be too soon. at least this way you've got a little while to prepare."

"thanks Sara. for everything. you really have no idea how much this means to me." i said with a small smile on my face.

"no thanks necessary Brooke, but you're welcome anyway, anytime you know that. so what do you wanna do today?" she asked

"i don't know. i mean i'd love to go to the lab again, see what you do in person, but something tells me Ecklie wouldn't be ok with that. i mean i don't really wanna run into him again, and i definitely don't want to get you into trouble. so i don't know maybe we could go shopping or something. i need some new stuff, and i'm gonna need something to wear to court, and i can always ask around to see if anyone's hiring. there you go we'd be killing three birds with one stone." i said hoping my last argument would convince her.

"ok we'll go shopping. but you don't need to look for a part-time job yet. why don't you wait until things have settled down a bit, and after this thing with John and Rebecca has been sorted, then maybe we can start looking for a part-time job for you ok? deal?" Sara stated

"deal." i said firmly

after a couple of hours we were still looking round the shops, despite the fact that we had already spent much more than necessary, and we still apparently had more to do. who knew shopping could be so fun, yet so exhausting at the same time?

after a couple more hours, and stopping to grab a bite at a local cafe we headed home. before we knew it we had arrived and we were carrying our purchases inside and into respective bedrooms, in order to put them away later. it was quite late by that time-the blessing and the curse of late night shopping- so we headed straight to bed and saying that we would see each other in the morning.


......................................................................

hope you all liked it, please read and review

[Billyjorja]

Is that the end?  Loved it.

Guess what I will be reading from start to finish over the next few days.

[Destiny062]

no it's not the end, i know i sorta wrote it so it sounded that way but it's not. new chapters will be up soon, just gotta write them before i post them on here lol. but glad you're still loving/liking the story though. it's those sort of comments that encourage me to keep writing whenever i can.     

hopefully will be able to post the next chapter or two up tonight, or tomorrow. but they will be posted soon.

[Destiny062]

previously......
after a couple more hours, and stopping to grab a bite at a local cafe we headed home. before we knew it we had arrived and were carrying our purchases inside and into respective bedrooms, in order to put them away later. it was quite late by that time-the blessing and the curse of late night shopping-so we headed straight to bed, and saying that we would see eachother in the morning.

Chapter 36.

the next couple of days were a blur, they passed by so quickly, i couldn't remember what i had been doing, and i didn't know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. in a way it was good as it meant the sooner i saw them, the sooner this whole thing would be over with; but it was also bad as i still wasn't exactly sure on what i was going to tell them, i was so nervous, and i didn't really have any real reason to be, after all Sara would be there the whole time.

Sara had been great the past couple of days, i mean she had been great the whole time, even when i pulled my disappearing act a few weeks ago, but especially lately. she helped me with what i was going to say, she answered questions about what would happen if the meeting went well, and if it didn't go well what would happen. the rest of the guys, who i now considered my family had been great too, they even offered to come with me as moral support. but i didn't want to get them all in trouble, and i didn't want Lindsey to miss any more school than she had done so i told them i would be ok. it was hard enough for Sara to get some time off, probably a lot harder than she had let on, but i wasn't going to push it. i was grateful she was doing this for me. i knew she didn't have to, and she knew that, but she kept telling me that she wanted to, and it felt really good hearing that. it had been a while since i had had someone on my side completely, and i had missed it, which surprised me in itself.

the morning went by so quick i don't know where the time went, and before i knew it, and to be honest before i was ready, it was time to leave to meet up with John, Rebecca and their attorney James Fletcher. if he had recognised me when he had come to Sara's house, he certainly hadn't shown it, and i was beginning to wonder if he actually knew what i looked like. if he didn't, he was certainly going to get a shock when i turned up.

i guess Sara could sense i was nervous and see i was having trouble, because before we went in she pulled me to one side and said "Brooke are you sure you want to do this? we can always reschedule if you're not ready ok. you don't have to do this today. we can just go home if you want."

i looked at her and replied "i know that, but i want to. honestly i don't think it'll matter when i see them, i'm always going to be nervous about it. but it's better to do it sooner than later isn't it? that way it'll be over sooner, and i can move on with my life, and they will leave me alone, and i can stop looking over my shoulder all the time always waiting to see if they're behind me, just waiting until i'm alone so they can drag me back where i used to live. i'm ok Sara really. are you sure you're ok to come in with me? i know you're meant to be working, and if you need to be there i get it. really it's ok."

"i'm not going anywhere. i said i would be here to support you today, and that's what i'm going to do. i'll go to work when all of this is sorted out, and if Ecklie or anyone else has a problem with it they can talk to me about it ok. i'm not leaving you on your own to face them. i know you can do it on your own, but i don't want them to take advantage of you ok. i'm coming and staying with you, and that's the end of it. but if you don't want me in there, i understand and i'll just wait out here for you." Sara told me.

"of course i want you in there. i feel like if i don't have someone in there with me, then i'll just cave and end up going bck to the house i hated, to the life where i was miserable. i don't want to be that girl again Sara, i can't be that girl again."

"and you're not gonna be ok. you ready?"

not trusting my voice again, i just nodded my head as we walked into James Fletcher's office where John and Rebecca were already sitting and waiting for us.

"hey sweetie." Rebecca said standing up to give me a hug. she didn't get the chance as i immediately stepped back, not wanting to be anywhere near her.

"Brooke, what's wrong? are you ok." John asked standing up too.

"i'm fine." i said coldly

"what's she doing here?" Rebecca said angrily noticing Sara standing behind me closing the door.

"i invited her." i said simply

"this is nothing to do with her. it's to do with our family, and she's not part of it." Rebecca said, trying not to raise her voice

"actually, she is. she's part of my family, and if you can't deal with her being here, then i guess we're just wasting our time. come on Sara let's go. i knew there was no point in coming here." i said angrily

"no it's ok. she can stay." John said

Sara smiled at me and we sat down on the opposite side of the room to John and Rebecca.

"wait a minute, this is your daughter?" James asked

"adopted daughter" i muttered under my breath, but they didn't hear me.

"yes, what's wrong?" John asked

"i saw her, when i went to give Miss Sidle that envelope you gave to me. she answered the door, i didn't realise." James said

"must have been a shock to see me here then huh?" i said cheekily

"what do you mean you saw her?" Rebecca asked James "Brooke are you living with her? we thought you were still in the hospital. why didn't you tell us you had been released?"

"yeah i'm staying at Sara's place. and i didn't tell you because i didn't want to ok." i said

"but why? why would you hide this from us?"

"i didn't hide it. i simply chose not to tell you. i wasn't the one hiding secrets for years, that was you two!" i shouted

"Brooke, calm down ok. remember what we said, we'd see what they had to say, and you would talk to them, and not raise your voice." Sara said resting her hand lightly on my arm.

"i know, sorry." i said turning towards her.

"it's ok. so what did you two want to talk to Brooke about?" she said addressing my adoptive parents.

"we just want our daughter to come home, where she belongs. i don't understand why she signed an emancipation order, or why she didn't tell us that she had been released from the hospital. talk to us honey." John said

"i am at home ok. Sara's place is my home now. i'm sorry, but that place i used to live was never my home. it was just somewhere i happened to live in for the past eighteen years. it was never my home. you don't have to hide the truth from me anymore. i know the truth about who i am and what happened when i was younger. i'm sick of the way you guys used to treat me, so i ran away. that's why i want the emancipation order, i'm not your daughter anymore, i never was. ever since i came to Vegas i'm not invisible anymore. i'm not taken for granted. i have friends and a family who care about me. so please just grant me this one thing. i've never asked you for anything before now, but i'm asking you now, just sign the emancipation order." i said, my voice growing stronger and more confidant the more i spoke.

"what do you mean you're not our daughter? of course you are, you always will be. we never hid the truth from you, we've always been honest with you. what's going on Brooke? what lies has she been telling you?" Rebecca asked.

"don't you dare talk about Sara like that. she hasn't lied to me about anything, she's always been honest with me. i can't say the same for you. even now you're lying. maybe it's because you've been lying to me for so many years even you can't remember the truth anymore, but it's still there. i know the truth now, and you denying it all isn't going to change it. John, Rebecca can you please just be honest with me, just this once?"

"Brooke, what are you talking about? it's us, it's mom and dad. what happened  to you? do you think her accident caused this?" Rebecca asked John

"i'm not sure. i mean she knows our names. she just doesn't recognise us as her parents. maybe we shuld give her some time, it might come back to her." John answered.

"the accident didn't cause this. if anything it brought me to the truth. i know that you adopted me when i was a baby. that you had an elder daughter but we both got very sick when we were toddlers, but i fought and got better, whereas she died. you never got over her death, and you resented me for the fact i, your adopted daughter survived, whereas she, your biological daughter died. but that wasn't my fault ok, i didn't kill her, and i'm sick of being treated as if i didn't exist by you two."

"Brooke..... what..... how did you find out?" John asked sighing.

"Grams told me. she told me everything. she told me how you wouldn't even look at me for about a year after because of what happened, and that i was handed over to her at every opportunity. she told me how she was going to fight you for custody over me if things didn't improve. but they did, at least for a little while anyway, but it came to an end. instead you started treating me as if i was invisible, and take me for granted, getting me to do every little thing around the house, and not thanking me for anything. and you know what the sad part is, i got used to it. i got used to being ignored. no matter whether i was at school or at home, i was treated the same. but then Sara came, and after a lot of waiting i opened up to her. she was there for me whenever i needed her. i could call her anytime, day or night and she would answer the phone. she did and does more for me than either of you two ever did." i said, with tears starting to fall down out of my eyes because i was so angry at them.

"what do you mean Grams told you? Grams died over two years ago. why didn't you talk to us before?" John asked, Rebecca had fallen silent

"she didn't tell me two years ago. she told me when i was in the hospital. i was unconscious and i saw her, and she told me everything. she didn't mean to, she thought i already knew. when she realised her slip she tried to cover it up, she tried to cover for you, but i made her tell me. and you know what i'm glad she did, because on that moment a lot of things made sense. but you should've told me John, you and Rebecca should've told me." i explained

"i know sweetie. but we couldn't, i couldn't. you're still our daughter. ok you may not be ours biologically, but you're still ours, and we love you." John said

"just sign the emancipation order. if you love me just sign it. maybe sometime in the future we can have some sort of relationship, but not now. it's too hard, and i just can't forgive you for the way you treated me. you didn't treat me as a daughter, i was invisible to you. you don't treat someone you love that way, you just don't. please just sign the emancipation order, and let me move on with my life, you have to let me go." i said looking John straight in the eye.

after a few minutes he said "ok. if that's what you truly want Brooke, we'll sign it."

"it is, thank you." i said

"no! John what are you doing?" Rebecca pleaded

"i'm listening to our daughter for once in her life. she's right honey, we didn't treat her like we should have done. i didn't even realise that at the time, but looking back i know where she's coming from. we have to do this for her. we have to let her go." John said softly

"John i can't. i've already lost one daughter, i can't lose my other one too. please Brooke....please don't make me do this" Rebecca cried

"i'm sorry Rebecca." i said "maybe things will be different in the future, i don't know, but you have to let me go."

"we have to do this honey. believe me, i don't want to do this either, but maybe if we do this we have a shot of regaining a relationship with our daughter, and not losing her forever. you know this is the right thing to do. i know in your heart you feel the same way." John cried holding her hand and looking in her eyes.

slowly Rebecca nodded and then collapsed into John's arms sobbing.

a few minutes later the forms were signed, and i had got what i wanted. i had a fresh start, with nothing and no-one holding me back.

"guys, i just have one question, who are my real parents? you know my biological parents, who are they? what are they like? what are their names? do i look like them?"

ok so that was more than one question, but i guess i really wanted to know.

"all we knew were their first names. your mom's name was Claire, and we never knew anything about your dad. to be honest we didn't want to know back then." John explained.

"well do you know where she lives? or why she gave me up?" i asked

"after you were born we heard she moved to Miami or something. but we haven't heard anything from her since. she may not be there anymore. i'm sorry sweetie." John told me

"it's ok. i guess i just wanted to know a bit more about who i was, where i come from you know. thank you. i'm sorry it came to this i really am." i said truthfully, and after giving both them and James one last look i stood up and walked outside. i didn't even have to turn around to know that Sara had followed me out and was now standing right behind me.

"are you ok?" she asked

"actually yeah i am. i can't believe they actually listened to me and did what i asked them to." i said

"i know, but you did it. everything's going to be ok now. so how about we go to the lab, and you can tell everyone the good news, and we go out and celebrate tonight? sound good?" Sara asked

"yeah, that sounds great. listen Sara, i know i just got emancipated from one set of parents, but do you think you'd be able to help me look for my biological mom? i think it's just something i have to do you know?"

"yeah sure. you know we've only got a slim chance of finding her don't you. i mean we only have her first name and the fact she moved to Miami shortly after you were born. it's not a lot to go on, i just don't want you to get you hopes up."

"i know that. but at least this way i can give it a try. it's worth a shot isn't it?" i asked

"of course. how about we go out and celebrate tonight, have a relaxing weekend, and then start looking for her on Monday. that ok?"

"Sara that's great. anyway if we don't find her it's ok, i mean i already have a family-i've got you and Lindsey and Catherine, and the rest of the guys at the lab. it's just...."

"you want an idea of where you come from?" Sara said finishing my sentence

"yeah" i said smiling "wow that's weird, you're finishing my sentences for me now, am i that predictable?"

"no, i'm just that good." she said laughing as we walked back to the car, and started driving towards the lab to tell everyone what had happened.....


..........................................................................................

hope you're all still liking the story, the next chapter will be posted soon

[Billyjorja]

You had me worried, glad there is more to come.

[Destiny062]

Chapter 37.

when we got to the lab, we found out from Judy (receptionist) that everyone was out on cases at the moment, it had been a really busy night in Vegas. i suddenly felt guilty that i had kept Sara away, when it was obvious that the team had really needed her tonight. but Sara really must know me to well, i guess she could probably tell from the expression that was written all over my face because she said "it's not your faut, i wanted to be there."

"erm Judy, just to keep off Ecklie's radar, can i have a visitors pass for Brooke please? you know how he is." Sara asked

"yeah sure. here you go" handing over the visitors pass.

"thanks" i said taking the pass

"so do you want that tour of the place i promised you?" Sara asked

"sure, that would be great. Catherine already showed me around, but i'd love another look, if that's ok." i stated

"wait, when did Cath show you round?"

"when i was here the last time. i was in the break room waiting for you, and this guy called Hodges.. i think his name was? anyway he started hassling me about being in the break room unsupervised blah blah blah. so anyway Catherine heard him and told him to go back to his work, which after a few comments he did. so she showed me round after that. we were waiting for Lindsey to arrive, so she said she'd show me round the place."

"oh. and when you say Hodges...?"

"yeah he came in, at least i think that's what Catherine said his name was; tall, greying hair though he'd deny that and kind of a kissass. he called Grissom when he found me."

"oh yeah, that's definitely Hodges. he gets on well with Ecklie."

"yeah i figured. he mentioned you by the way. said you'd get in a lot of trouble with Ecklie for leaving me unsupervised, and that i could be a killer or something about not knowing that the last time...."

"he didn't? actually i can believe he did. and he was just refering to an old case that's all. nothing to worry about."

"ok. so am i allowed that tour now?" i asked

"err sure, come on. just make sure your visitors pass is visible."

unfortunately we couldn't spend too long in each of the labs, as they were all really busy and i knew we would just get in their way, but it was good to see them again and the lab techs, and watch them working. well maybe with the exception of Hodges, he didn't seem to pleased to see me again. ballistics was still one of my favourites, i loved looking at all the different guns, and how they could match a bullet to a gun based on certain characteristics. maybe that makes me weird i don't know, but it was really interesting.

after a while we made our way to Grissom's office, but the door was locked.

"guess we'll have to wait til Grissom comes back." i said

"we could, or we could go in now. Grissom gave me a key a couple of months ago. come on he won't mind." Sara reassured me

once she had unlocked the door, i was taken aback about how much stuff he had in here, even though i had been here before. i took my time looking around this time, as i ventured further into his office. i took down a couple of books and had a look through them. it felt weird having a big book like this in my hand again, but it felt kinda good as well. it had been a while since i had had a textbook in my hands, but it felt kinda nice.

"Sara, i want to go back to school." i said suddenly

"what?"

"i want to go back to school. i want to study again, i wanna go somewhere, be someone. and school can help me with that. you don't think it's a good idea do you?" i said

"no Brooke, i think it's a great idea. if that's what you really want. do you know what you want to study?"

"i've got a few ideas, but nothing set yet. so do you think i start looking at colleges?"

"yeah sure. and as long as you find the right place for you, it doesn't matter where it is, whether it be here in Vegas, or further away. of course if it turns out to be further away, i'm going to miss you, we all will, but you have to do what is right for you, not what is right for everyone else." Sara explained

"thanks Sara. there isn't a computer i can use by any chance is there?"

"wow, someone's keen."

"yeah, it's weird, now that i know what i want to do, i just wanna get started. you know what i mean?"

"yeah i do. listen, we can't really use the computers at the lab, as the techs need those, so how about we go buy you your own computer ok, maybe a laptop or something. you're gonna need one for your studies anyway, so we might as well get you one now. what do you think?"

"i think that's a great idea, but i don't have enough to buy one. i haven't really got any money, and i haven't even started looking for a part time job yet. how am i supposed to pay for it?"

"you're not. i will. think of it as a 'good luck with your studies' present or an 'i'm proud of you for sticking up to John and Rebecca' present."

"Sara, i can't ask you to do that, you've done way too much already."

"Brooke you're not asking me, i'm offering ok. i want to do this for you"

"ok. but nothing too fancy or complicated."

"ok fine." Sara stated "come on let's go."

"go? go where?"

"to get your laptop."

"what now? i thought we were going to tell everyone what happened today?"

"well we were, but they're all busy with cases right now, so we'd be waiting a while, might as well go get your laptop now, and then by the time we've done that they should be back, and we can tell them then. and then we can all go out and celebrate. unless you don't want them to come out with us?"

"no of course i do, they're my family now, and so are you........ ok let's go." i said smiling


a few hours later, we had brought my laptop, and a printer, and paper to go in the printer and ink cartridges. we didn't bother with the security package, that i thought we would need, but Sara didn't seem to think so. after a look round the shops as well, which ended up with both of us buying more clothes, we walked back to the car, and put everything in the trunk, and the backseat of the car. we then drove back to the lab.

we were just walking to Grissom's office to see if he was back yet, when we heard...

"Sidle!"

"dammit, and today was going so good" Sara muttered.

"hey Ecklie."

seeing me he said "you again? what are you doing here?"

"again? what do you mean? have you two met?" Sara asked confused

i kept quiet.

"yes. we met the last time you brought her here. she was quite rude actually."

"hey! i'm right here. i have a name you know, it's Brooke, remember?"

"what is she doing here Sara?"

"hmm i thought i'd lost my invisibility, now that i've got it back should i use it for good or for evil?" i said

"Brooke. i'm just showing her round the place. well i was, and now we're just meeting up with the rest of the team. look she's got a visitors badge on, and she's with me, she's not just wandering around. so what's the problem?"

"i just don't think she should be here. we've got a lot of open cases right now, and i don't need her contaminating anything or costing us convictions ok."

"i'm not gonna touch anything. i'm not stupid. i know how important the work you guys do is. it keeps the bad guys off the streets, i'm not gonna muck it up for you." i said

"it doesn't matter. all the defence has to do is get wind that you were in the labs while the techs were doing their work, and the whole evidence chain is called in to question. so do us all a favour, just get out of my lab!"

"fine. i knew we shouldn't have come here. can't say it was nice bumping in to you." i said walking quickly away from Ecklie, from Sara, from the entire lab.

"Sidle my office now!"

i turned round one last time, to see Sara looking at me apologetically, and mouthing "wait outside". she then followed Ecklie.

i don't know what exactly happened in Ecklie's office, but i knew i had probably got Sara in trouble. but i wanted to apologise to her so i waited outside the lab like she said. about ten to fifteen minutes later Sara came walking out of the lab, and upon seeing me said "come on let's go home."

"Sara what happened?" i asked but she remained quiet. we walked to the car in silence and the drive home was uncomfortably quiet. i didn't know what had happened, but something obviously had, and i wanted to know what.

"Sara what happened?" i asked again when we had unloaded the car, and walked inside. but she didn't answer me. i'm not sure if she even heard me. "i'm sorry Sara." i said putting my hand on her shoulder. "i didn't mean for any of this. if you want me to go i get it, i'll just go."

"Brooke, none of this was your fault. Ecklie had no right talking to you like that. and of course i don't want you to go. come here." Sara said, giving me a hug.

"so where do you wanna go for your celebratory meal?"

"i don't mind. wherever you guys wanna go is fine. what's good round here?"

"well there's a couple of places off the strip, or there's the ones in the hotels. actually there's a great italian place about twenty minutes drive from the lab, i can't remember the name of it though, that's annoying." Sara said smiling


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